WISCONSIN RAPIDS - After serving more than 11 years as the city's police chief and 32 years in law enforcement, Police Chief Kurt Heuer has decided it's time to retire.

Heuer, 54, turned in his letter of resignation on Wednesday. His final working day as the Wisconsin Rapids police chief will be Jan. 15.

"I've been blessed with almost a 32-year law enforcement career, and it's time," Heuer told USA T ODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin. "It's time to move on and find other opportunities to help in our communities."

Heuer said he knew he wanted to retire sometime in 2016 or 2017 and had talked to Wisconsin Rapids Mayor Zach Vruwink and Police and Fire Commission President Greg Jerabek earlier this year of his plans. Heuer said he decided to wait until 2017 because there were good things going on in the Wisconsin Rapids Police Department he wanted to be involved in, such as the department's initiatives to stop the heroin epidemic in the city.

Heuer, who grew up in Port Edwards, began as a reserve Wood County deputy in 1983. He was a corrections officer from 1985 to 1987 and became a patrol deputy in 1987. Heuer worked as a Wood County investigator from 1990 until he became the Wood County sheriff in 1999. He served as sheriff for six years before becoming the Wisconsin Rapids police chief in June 2005. He currently oversees the 42 full-time employees at the Police Department, including 38 sworn officers. The city currently pays Heuer about $90,000 a year.

It will be up to the Wisconsin Rapids Police and Fire Commission to select Heuer's successor, but Heuer said he thinks there is local talent ready to step into the role.

While Wisconsin Rapids residents won't be seeing Heuer in his uniform after January, they can expect to see him taking an active role in the community. One of Heuer's reasons for retiring is to have more time to expand his volunteer work, he said. Heuer plans to volunteer with Special Olympics, and he also wants to do outreach in the community to help those suffering from substance abuse and addiction, he said.

One of the things Heuer is most looking forward to is spending more time with his wife, Kim, and three grandchildren, he said.

Heuer said turning in his resignation Wednesday was a surreal experience.

"It has been an honor to serve as chief of police for the city of Wisconsin Rapids since June 1, 2005," Heuer said in the letter. "Leaving (the department) and a near 32-year career in law enforcement will be very hard as I treasure the friendships, working relationships and the many initiatives we have developed within our agency and with those we serve."

The Wisconsin Rapids Police and Fire Commission was scheduled Wednesday evening to consider contracting with a consulting firm to begin the recruitment process for a new chief.

You can contact reporter Karen Madden at 715-424-7308, karen.madden@gannettwisconsin.com or follow her on Twitter @KMadden715.